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Click here to check out the fantastic and timely information regarding paralegal ethics compiled by Karen Bruner Stroup, Paralegal, and member of the IPA Ethics Committee!

From the NFPA Region III Director, Lori Wagner:

The board would like me to share with you a November 28, 2016,  ABA Journal article/link.   

Suspension recommended for lawyer who sought up to $24M in fees, didn't produce computer

Please also note that there will be a NFPA eDiscovery webinar on March 15, 2017 (check the NFPA website to register and for additional details) that might help paralegals avoid this type of situation (e.g., "be prepared").

Link to information re funeral arrangements:  

http://www.shirleybrothers.com/obituaries/Theresa-Kearney/#!/Obituary 

On behalf of the Officers, Directors and Members of the Indiana Paralegal Association, I would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the family of Theresa Kearney, one of IPA's founding members. Our sincere condolences to her family and friends for their loss. 

Arlene Morris, President

NEW MEMBER BENEFIT!!!

 

Here is some exciting news for the Members of the IPA! 

Each voting member will now be entitled to two (2) FREE hours of CLE attendance each year with your membership renewal (effective as of July 1, 2016). 

Associate Members and Student Members will receive one (1) free hour. 

Each hour of CLE is now valued at $25.00 (YES, we reduced the price from $35 per hour to $25 per hour), so this added benefit provides voting members with $50.00 worth of credit toward CLEs at no cost when you renew your membership ($25 credit for associate and student members).

The two (2) hours of free CLEs may be used as follows:

• 2 – One hour morning CLEs (also a new addition to our CLE calendar – the first one is coming up in early 2017 so watch for the announcement)
• 
  
• 1 – Afternoon CLE (from 3p – 5p)
• 
  
• $50 credit toward one Full Day CLE
• 
  
• $50 credit toward one Half Day CLE

The free CLE hours may not be used in connection with a CLE that is presented at a monthly luncheon.  CLE credits will expire at the end of the membership year and may NOT be carried over to the following year.

If you have questions about this exciting news, please contact the CLE Director, Everlla Savage (esavage@psrb.com)

Please join me in congratulating the following IPA members for their outstanding contribution to IPA

Debi Binkley, Lifetime Achievement Award
Rhonda Murphy, Outstanding Board Member of the Year
Laura Thirion, Paralegal of the Year
Rob Cooper, Outstanding New Member of the Year

Press Release NFPA Convention_Final-2016.docx

IF you were a voting member in 2015-2016 (Jul1/2015-June/2016) and were charged $95 when you processed your renewal (July 2016), please send a message to treasurer@indianaparalegals.org.  Each voting member who renews their membership is supposed to receive a $10 discount off their annual registration.  Sometimes there is a glitch in our system and it misses that.  Please let us know if that happens.  Again, this only applies to VOTING MEMBERSHIPS.  Please note that this only applies to renewals for the 2016-2017 membership year.

Nominations officially open today for the 2016 elections for the following Board positions:

 Officer Positions (for a two-year term)

 * President; 

* Vice President and Director of Positions and Issues;

* Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification; and 

* Secretary and Director of Operations. 

 

Region Directors (for a one-year term)

 * Regions I, II, III, IV, and V 

 

Coordinators

 * ABA Approval Commission Representative (for a three-year term)

 (Please note this position begins in Fall 2017)

 

Board, ABA Approval Commission Representative, and Coordinator Nomination Forms can be found on NFPA’s website and also below for your convenience:

 

Board Nomination Form (due by August 31st):

 (Please notethe Board Nomination Form is currently being updated and a separate announcement will come with the updated link when complete)

 

**Board candidate statements and resumes are due September 5th to the nominations coordinator**

 ABA Approval Commission Representative Form (also due August 31st):

 http://www.paralegals.org/default.asp?page=116

 

ABA Approval Commission Representative Description and Qualifications

 **ABA Approval Commission Representative candidate statements and resumes are due September 5th to the nominations coordinator**

 These forms are set to require “Local Leaders” access so the nominators should sign in to the NFPA website before clicking these links. 

 ______________________________________________________________________________

 Coordinator Letter of Interest form (Coordinator positions will not open until September 20th):

 http://www.paralegals.org/default.asp?page=110

 

 **Please note resumes and letters of interest for coordinator forms are to be submitted directly with these forms and do not need to be submitted separately to nominations@paralegals.org (unless they are submitted at a later time)**

 

Keep in mind all Coordinator positions (with the exception of certain two- and three-year term positions) will be open for appointment (following this year’s convention) with submissions of Letters of Interest commencing on September 20th.  A separate announcement will go out at that time. 

Apply for the PACE and PCCE Scholarships NFPA is accepting applications for the PACE and PCCE scholarships, which cover fees for exams and study materials needed to obtain a paralegal certification. Scholarship recipients will also receive a commemorative plaque and recognition in the National Paralegal Reporter and press release(s).  Apply for the PCCE Scholarship Apply for the PACE Scholarship More information about these scholarships

Thomson-Reuters Scholarships Available to Students NFPA and Thomson-Reuters want to help fund your paralegal education through these annual scholarships available only to students! To apply, complete the application and submit your response to the following essay topic:  Between 2014 and 2024, the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics projects paralegal and legal assistant positions to grow at a rate of eight percent. However, even with excellent job growth, there will be significant competition for these new and existing positions. Once you complete your paralegal program, what factors will make you a successful candidate at a job interview? Please also submit an original and three copies of the application form, accompanying documentation and one original transcript and two copies.  More information about NFPA/Thomson-Reuters Scholarships